What does everyone use to remove the glue residue left behind after peeling those unsightly stickers off?

Having never owned brand new drum equipment before, I don't remember having to concern myself over manufacturers stickers on hardware, but now that I've been piecing together all new stuff, everything in the way of DW stands seems to come with two stickers per stand, and once you remove the plastic-like sticker itself, a solid rock-hard residue is left behind and there's no budging it.

Reaching a point of frustration a few evenings ago, I took an SOS pad to my new drum stand, albeit gingerly, and much to my surprise the pad quickly and easily removed all residue, and without damage may I add, but there's got to be a better way.

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

We remove all kinds of stickers at work. I've found that there are generally two types of adhesive - one that dissolves well with a petroleum based solvent (Goo-Gone, WD-40, etc.) or the other that dissolves with an alcohol (isopropyl, ethyl, etc).

Most folks have rubbing alcohol or WD-40 around the house; if so, you're all set!

We remove all kinds of stickers at work. I've found that there are generally two types of adhesive - one that dissolves well with a petroleum based solvent (Goo-Gone, WD-40, etc.) or the other that dissolves with an alcohol (isopropyl, ethyl, etc).

Most folks have rubbing alcohol or WD-40 around the house; if so, you're all set!

Wish I would have started this thread before tackling the job, because I have a bottle of rubbing alcohol on hand but didn't even think to try it. Good to know. Thanks, Smoke!

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

I'll use nail polish remover to get rid of drumstick logos that are large and in the center of the stick (vic firth)

For cleaning hardware, I've found fine steel wool to take pretty much everything off of chrome with zero scratching. It's also good for cleaning chrome snares, rims, and stands that get foggy after a few years of elements... good for preventing rust and pitting.

A more extreme route is laquer thinner. Takes ink/adhesives right off (cymbal logos, smooth drumhead logos etc, had to that once for a drumline).

Goof-Off Pro Strength is also great, as is lighter fluid (like Ronson for cigarette lighters) but watch the fumes. Not great for sensitive noses on humans and especially pets. Open some windows, or simply do the work outside.

Acetone (nail polish remover) is effective, but can smear and leave a residue, which then needs to be re-cleaned. I used to use that, and follow-up with lighter fluid. Alcohol is a nice cleaner, but it really doesn't dissolve goo.

I stick with Goof-Off or lighter fluid for consistent success.

Bermuda

__________________DrumDoug: "I've tried talking to the guys about our stage volume, but it just falls on deaf ears"

I dont remove the stickers. They dont bother me any more than drum head logos or drum badges.

Do you happen to own any Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar gear?

I say it 5 times because every piece of Gibraltar gear I own came with Gibraltar casted into the wing nuts and pedals, molded into each rubber foot, and no less than 3 annoyingly tearable Gibraltar stickers on each stand. (Plus a tag attached with a string)

I'm with you on things like Yamaha gear, where they use a single metallic sticker. Often the stickers are excessive, annoying, an eyesore, and interfere with the operation of the telescopic operation of stands.

I'll use nail polish remover to get rid of drumstick logos that are large and in the center of the stick (vic firth)

For cleaning hardware, I've found fine steel wool to take pretty much everything off of chrome with zero scratching. It's also good for cleaning chrome snares, rims, and stands that get foggy after a few years of elements... good for preventing rust and pitting.

A more extreme route is laquer thinner. Takes ink/adhesives right off (cymbal logos, smooth drumhead logos etc, had to that once for a drumline).

Appreciate the tips, GAP! Lots of good advice!

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

Goof-Off Pro Strength is also great, as is lighter fluid (like Ronson for cigarette lighters) but watch the fumes. Not great for sensitive noses on humans and especially pets. Open some windows, or simply do the work outside.

Acetone (nail polish remover) is effective, but can smear and leave a residue, which then needs to be re-cleaned. I used to use that, and follow-up with lighter fluid. Alcohol is a nice cleaner, but it really doesn't dissolve goo.

I stick with Goof-Off or lighter fluid for consistent success.

Bermuda

Additional thanks to you, Bermuda! Before tackling the residue with the steel wool pad, I was proud of myself as to how efficiently I managed to further spread the sticky goo around!

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

Thanks, GD! Wouldn't you know it, I have a little tea tree oil on hand, but never thought of trying it. I did try a little olive oil though, which seemed to weaken the sticky residue just enough to allow me to spread it around even more. At one point I had about 4 different rags on the go, and was spewing out expletives in triplet form!

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

Do you happen to own any Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar gear?

I say it 5 times because every piece of Gibraltar gear I own came with Gibraltar casted into the wing nuts and pedals, molded into each rubber foot, and no less than 3 annoyingly tearable Gibraltar stickers on each stand. (Plus a tag attached with a string)

Roaring with laughter reading this! Thankfully, the Gibraltar throne I recently purchased came with just a single red, white, and black logo sticker, which looks classy, likewise for the DW drum stands I ordered with their half-shield shaped metallic logo stickers, but as for all the inspection and part # stickers, I can do without those, but thanks to everyone here, I should be able to more efficiently tackle the next set of stickers I encounter in a fraction of the time, minus any concerns over damage!

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

Sometimes, I use Baby oil to remove glue residue; as a bonus, it smells pleasant.

Hey, NMM! I wonder if the trick behind using oils is contingent on how long you leave the oil applied before working the area. With the olive oil I tried, I never allowed the oil to sit on the affected area for any length of time, which may explain why I achieved no success with it.

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

I buy and use mostly Tama hardware, no stickers. Plus Tama makes the best cymbal stands IMO. The few pieces of Yamaha hardware I own just have one sticker and my Gibralter throne just one as well. DW likes super maximum awareness of their products I guess.

The stickers that annoy me are the UPC barcode labels under the bell of any Zildjian cymbal I buy. That crap doesn't remove cleanly and need to use mineral spirits to get it off. That Goo Gone stuff also works.

The stickers that annoy me are the UPC barcode labels under the bell of any Zildjian cymbal I buy. That crap doesn't remove cleanly and need to use mineral spirits to get it off. That Goo Gone stuff also works.

Appreciate your input, MB! I outfitted myself with a bottle of Goo Gone. Can't wait to put it to the test!

__________________Rash of letters after an Architects name? Alphabetic Soup, don't drown in it...

Hey, NMM! I wonder if the trick behind using oils is contingent on how long you leave the oil applied before working the area. With the olive oil I tried, I never allowed the oil to sit on the affected area for any length of time, which may explain why I achieved no success with it.

You may be right. I remember soaking a rag and having to wipe the area for quite some time to remove the glue. Perhaps, you will have better success with the goo.